JONESBORO — If ASU fails to reach expectations this season it won't be because the Red Wolves are too young.
ASU, 6-6 a year ago, returns six starters on offense and eight on defense, with the top of the depth chart flooded with seniors and upperclassmen.
And not just run-of-the mill juniors and seniors.
The Red Wolves return the Sun Belt Conference's 2008 Defensive Player of the Year in defensive end Alex Carrington and the 2009 Preseason Co-offensive player of the year in quarterback Corey Leonard.
Not a bad starting point.
"It's been excellent with the senior leadership we've had out here," head coach Steve Roberts said. "We've got a lot of fifth-year guys that have a been around here and done this type of attitude. They have done a great job of how to attack practice and meetings and when you have those guys paying attention to detail it's a great example for the young guys."
One area of concern for theRed Wolves is an offensive line that returns one full-time starter in senior guard Dominic Padrta (6-4, 312) returns. Other firstteamers include senior tackles Kiano Prater (6-3, 292) and Derek Newton (6-5, 313), junior center Tom Castilaw (6-3, 297) and junior guard Sifa Etu (6-1, 304).
"We are trying to find a group to come together and get them reps together so they can come together as a team within a team," Roberts said. "We definitely have the talent over there to be successful.
Quarterback Leonard (6-1,207) and running back Reggie Arnold (5-9, 219) return for their senior seasons and are keys to success for ASU. Leonard, recently nominated for the 2009 Manning Award, threw for more than 2,300 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, while rushing for more than 500 yards and 4 touchdowns.
"I would really like to earn a ring," Leonard said, referring to the Sun Belt Conference championship. "I was asked earlier in fall camp about my career and all of these things I have accomplished and in the back of mymind I was thinking I don't have a championship. You can't be expected to be remembered as a great ASU player if you don't win a championship.
"That image will sit in my mind as the season starts."
Arnold is trying to become the eighth running back in NCAA history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons. He finished with 1,074 yards and seven touchdowns in 2008. Sophomore running back Derek Lawson (5-11, 214) rushed for 695 yards and four touchdowns last fall.
"We have a running back tradition here and I don't want to be the one that ends it not getting 1,000 yards this year," Arnold said. "That is something I am really striving at."
Senior receivers Jahbari McLennan (6-0, 236) and Brandon Thompkins (5-9, 180) return as starters after catching 32 passes each last season. Both averaged better than 14 yards per catch. Senior Taylor Clements (5-10, 183) has been a reliable target throughout fall camp. Senior tight ends J.T. Jordan (6-1, 274) and Trevor Gillott (6-2, 218) havegame experience.
The defense is led by Carrington (6-5, 284), who had 19 tackles for losses and a leaguehigh 10.5 sacks from his end position. Carrington is joined by returning starters Bryan Hall (6-1, 284), a junior, and Khari Mays (6-2, 288), a senior, at the tackles. Stanly Wakwe (6-1, 246), a senior, is the other starting end.
"Camp went very well for the defense," coordinator Kevin Corliss said. "The big key this fall camp was to become a more consistent defense and that is something we did and of course stay healthy in fall camp and we were able to do that as well."
Junior Darious Glover (6-1, 220), sophomore Demario Davis (6-3, 231) and senior Greg Hardy (6-0, 246) all have experience at linebacker.
Seniors Daylan Walker (5-9, 177) and Cordarious Mingo (5-11, 182) return at cornerback to go along with junior strong safety M.D. Jennings (6-0, 172) and senior free safety Evan Van Dolah (6-2, 213) to form the secondary.
"I feel real good about our top two corners," Roberts said. "They both play very well.Mingo is extremely physical. We still need a little more depth at that position because we don't have it right now."
Senior Marcus Brown (6-1, 186) is working as the nickel back.
Senior Josh Arauco (5-9, 218) gives ASU an established kicker. Arauco hit 17-of-20 field-goal attempts and 37 extra-point attempts last season. Sophomore Ryan Wilbourn (5-10, 157) will handle punting and kickoff duties.
"I left my self some big shoes to fill last year but I am really excited to be better this year," Arauco said. "I did miss three field goals last year and had an extra point blocked so there is obviously room to improve."
ASU opens the season at home on Sept. 5 against Mississippi Valley State, but the Red Wolves will be challenged by theremainder of their nonconference schedule.
ASU travels to Nebraska (Big 12), Iowa (Big Ten) and Louisville (Big East) in nonconference action.
"We know they are going to be good," Roberts said. "Those are great programs."At a glance LAST YEAR 6-6 (4-3 Sun Belt Conference) RETURNING STARTERS 6 offense/8 defense SURE THING Quarterback Corey Leonard, who threw for 2,347 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior in 2008.
UNSURE THING The guys blocking for Leonard. The Red Wolves return one starter on the offensive line.
SUN BELT TITLE SCENARIO The Red Wolves avoid a repeat of 2008, when they stumbled after a 4-2 start and lost at Louisiana-Lafayette and Florida Atlantic as a part of a threegame losing streak.
SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT TIME
Sept. 5 Mississippi Valley St. 6 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Nebraska 1 p.m.
Sept. 26 Troy* 3:30 p.m.
Oct. 3 at Iowa TBA
Oct. 13 at Louisiana-Monroe* 7 p.m.
Oct. 24 Florida International* 6 p.m.
Oct. 31 at Louisville TBA
Nov. 7 Louisiana-Lafayette* 2:30 p.m.
Nov. 14 at Florida Atlantic* 3 p.m.
Nov. 21 at Middle Tennessee* TBA
Nov. 28 North Texas* 2 p.m.
Dec. 03 at Western Kentucky* 6 p.m.
*Sun Belt game
Sports, Pages 32 on 08/30/2009